Legendary designer sings "Thank you" at Salute to Retail luncheon

Victor Costa, center, is surrounded by models at the Salute to Retail luncheon.
Photo by Raymond Groscrand

Joanne and Welcome Wilson,
Photo by Raymond Groscrand

Tamara Klosz Bonar and Lenny Matuszewski.
Photo by Raymond Groscrand

Brad and Joanna Marks.
Photo by Raymond Groscrand

Julie Phillips Roberts and Victor Costa.
Photo by Raymond Groscrand

Dan Linscomb and Pam Kuhl-Linscomb.
Photo by Raymond Groscrand

What: Salute to Retail 2015 Luncheon.

Where: River Oaks Country Club.

The scoop: A stellar line-up of Houston luminaries were honored for their contributions to the city's retail scene. Legendary designer Victor Costa, a University of Houston alum,was presented the Legends Award, and instead of the traditional thank you speech, he sang his gratitude, accompanied by a pianist on a baby grand piano.

The spacious country club foyer was filled with gowns designed by Costa, several for Houstonians, including wedding gowns for Roz Pactor and Georgene Brandon. In an era of the TV hit Dynasty, the designer was known for recreating haute couture looks at bargain prices. "Victor has been called 'The King of the Copycats,' but he's a true original," Pactor told the crowd.

Boisterously cheering Matuszewski on were a table of models who modeled with him back in the '80s when he — and they — were top Houston models of their day. Model agency ownerPage Parkesled the cheers.

More than $200,000 was raised from the luncheon, which takes place every two years to raise funds for the Merchandising Star Award Endowment, which was established in 2004 to support UH's College of Technology, provides scholarships for students in the Retailing and Consumer Science Program. UH students Betty Dominguez, Amanda Garza, Sydney Gerbracht and Rak'esh Salian were honored as this year's recipients. In a video, Kuhl-Linscomb owners bragged that the store had more than 25 employees who are UH grads.